A Space Force Sergeant and a Rabbi (Ep. 329)
On this week’s episode, the guys answer some burning questions from a Space Force staff sergeant—and explain why it’s not a good idea to set your LSAT goal at 180. Then, they critique Rabbi Ben’s personal statement. They wrap up with a Logical Reasoning question that illustrates why complete-the-argument questions aren’t actually a question type at all.
As always, if you like the show and you want to get more from the Thinking LSAT community, check out the links below. You can connect with other folks studying for the LSAT and get more useful resources from Nathan and Ben.
12.29.2021 — February LSAT Registration Deadline
1.15.2022 — January LSAT
2.2.2022 — January LSAT Score Release
2.3.2022 — March LSAT Registration Deadline
2.12.2022 — February LSAT
3.3.2022 — February LSAT Score Release
2:00 - Email from a Space Force Sergeant
Staff Sergeant reached out to the pod with a bucket load of questions related to the LSAT and law school admissions. The guys discuss whether students should set 180 as a goal LSAT score and offer feedback on Staff Sergeant’s personal statement topic ideas. They also reminisce about how they met and started the podcast.
31:37 - Rabbi Ben’s Personal Statement
Rabbi Ben has a Ph.D. in Jewish philosophy and has written his personal statement on this topic and his experience as a Rabbi. Ben and Nathan critique some grammar issues in the first paragraph and offer suggestions to help Rabbi Ben get straight to the point and cut out any fluff. For example, he should remove the title of his dissertation and jump right into the actual dissertation’s content. Overall, the guys think Rabbi Ben’s personal statement is too broad. He should narrow it down to one or two of the topics discussed and expand on the specifics of what he has actually done.
1:07:59 - Test 73, Section 2, Q25
Nathan and Ben read the passage carefully to make sure they fully understand the argument. When he sees the blank space at the end of the passage, Ben already starts predicting what answer would complete the argument. With a solid prediction in mind, Ben and Nathan are quickly able to eliminate the wrong answer choices. Ben doesn’t even question when answer C is read. He knows that this answer is true even if it is a safer answer than his original prediction. The guys also discuss why complete-the-argument questions aren’t actually a question type. They can be Must Be True questions (like this one) just as easily as they can be Strengthen questions—depending on how and where the blank appears in the passage. Try this question on LSAT Demon.